Danielle Gletow, founder of Trenton nonprofit One Simple Wish, is one of Family Circle magazine's '20 Most Influential Moms.'
TRENTON -- Danielle Gletow left a high-paying marketing job and took a leap of faith in 2008 to start One Simple Wish, a Trenton nonprofit that grants wishes to foster children and at-risk youth.
Now the organization is operating in 49 states, is partnered with agencies in 750 communities nationwide, has granted more than 16,000 wishes since its start.
And Gletow, a mother of two from Ewing, has been recognized by CNN, NBC and now Family Circle Magazine - but this time it's not just for her nonprofit work.
Gletow said she found out just before New Year's that she was listed as "The Giver" in Family Circle's "20 Most Influential Moms of 2016."
"I was so excited," Gletow said. "If you love what you do, you don't have to think much about what you do and my children are very much a part of that."
Gletow is the mother to Mia Rae, 8, and Liliana, 7, who are students at Lore Elementary School in Ewing.
Family Circle wrote Gletow was selected in the top 20 list because she helps make sure no child feels neglected.
"When children in foster care have a need, anything from school supplies to music lessons to a prom dress or a bike, she connects them with caring donors who grant their requests online," the magazine stated.
"I'm super lucky," Gletow said of her supportive family who - husband Joe included - help volunteer with One Simple Wish.
Gletow said she and her husband have a "great balance" when it comes to watching their daughters as they both travel a lot for work.
"I could never have started One Simple Wish without him," Glewtow said.
She said she hopes her daughters see her success and learn from it to "put themselves out there."
"I want my girls to see they have a mom who isn't afraid to ask the hard questions," Gletow said. "I want my kids to see they can in fact make a difference in the world."
She goes further than her own family, though. Gletow said she hopes all the children affected by One Simple Wish can see they are important to the world.
"The most powerful lesson you can give to kids is to tell them that they're valuable," Gletow said. "If we can get all children to believe that then we all win."
Last year, One Simple Wish built a Trenton house donated by Wells Fargo Bank for two young girls to live in after they aged out of foster care - a problem Gletow said the nonprofit focuses on fixing.
Gletow said One Simple Wish - in an effort to bring more resources into the city - will be holding "open houses" in Trenton every Wednesday in May for agencies to come tour the community.
"Trenton is a diamond in the rough," Gletow said. "It has a lot to offer, it just needs a little polish, vision. The city of Trenton is really filled with incredible people."
As for all the national recognition she has been getting, Gletow said she only hopes it "brings attention to the city we love so much."
For information on the open house events or volunteer opportunities with One Simple Wish, you can contact the organization at info@onesimplewish.org.
Lindsay Rittenhouse may be reached at lrittenhouse@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.